Executive functioning: How to transform teaching and learning

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Education leaders often hear the same refrain: teachers can’t add more to their plates. With initiative fatigue a real concern, the constant influx of new programs, interventions and growing expectations has overwhelmed educators.

The challenge is clear: how can schools implement meaningful learning and well-being strategies without further burdening teachers? One solution is teaching executive function skills—the cognitive skills that enable focus, self-regulation flexibility and goal-setting.

Rather than introducing a separate program, schools can embed executive functioning strategies into the curriculum and expand the focus school-wide. This approach benefits students academically and socially and integrates seamlessly into teachers’ routines to support student growth in real time.

What is executive function?

Executive functioning is the brain’s control center, governing the skills students need to navigate life successfully. Think of executive functioning as the conductor of an orchestra.

Just as the conductor coordinates the musicians to ensure they play in harmony, executive function organizes the brain’s “musicians”—initiative, working memory, self-monitoring—to work together seamlessly to accomplish tasks and navigate challenges.

Without a skilled conductor, the orchestra can feel chaotic; with strong executive functioning, the orchestra strikes the perfect balance of social, emotional, and academic behaviors.

There are eight core executive functioning skills:

  1. Inhibit – Resisting impulses and distractions.
  2. Shift – Adapting to changes or transitions.
  3. Regulate – Managing emotions to achieve goals or complete tasks.
  4. Initiate – Starting tasks independently.
  5. Working Memory – Holding and using information while completing a task.
  6. Plan & Organize – Setting goals and outlining steps to achieve them.
  7. Task Monitor – Assessing progress and adjusting accordingly.
  8. Self-Monitor – Reflecting on and responding to the outside world.

These skills develop over time with intentional teaching and practice. For students, robust executive function skills translate into better focus, flexibility, and emotional resilience—qualities essential for thriving beyond the classroom.

Embedding executive function in daily learning

Integrating executive functioning skills into core classroom instruction doesn’t require a new program or additional lessons but rather a shift in mindset and teaching strategies.

Embedding executive functioning starts with intentional language to build student skills. For instance:

  • To support Inhibit: “Before we start, let’s stop and think about how we can stay focused.”
  • To support Working Memory: “Let’s keep in mind these three steps we need to follow for this task,” with a follow-up question: “Which three steps did we keep in mind?”

Administrators can model this approach by encouraging teachers to reflect on their executive functioning strategies and share practical examples from their classroom with colleagues during collaboration or professional development.

Lesson planning through the executive function lens

Consider a small-group reading lesson. Students might need to “shift” their focus multiple times: from listening to the teacher to engaging in activities like sentence dictation, reading independently or participating in peer discussions. By planning for these transitions, teachers can use simple strategies to make cognitive shifts smoother, such as:

  • Using clear visual or auditory cues for transitions.
  • Prompting metacognition with phrases like, “Let’s stop and think about what comes next.”
  • Offering brief moments to practice shifting with low-stakes prompts like, “Show me you’re ready to switch gears.”
  • Creating purposeful cognitive break times to recharge during the lesson.

At the school level, administrators play a pivotal role in driving this integration by fostering a culture where teachers share impactful practices that are transforming their classrooms.

Benefits of an executive function focus

When schools focus on developing executive functioning skills in students, the ripple effects are profound. This approach equips students with the tools to navigate challenges, adapt to changes and build resilience while reinforcing critical academic skills.

Initiative fatigue doesn’t have to be the norm. By flipping the script and embedding executive functioning throughout the school day, we can lighten the load for educators while empowering them to teach more effectively and foster meaningful student growth.

Kristi Graber
Kristi Graber
Kristi Graber is the senior director of The Southport CoLAB, which provides education training for professionals, educators and families. She is a seasoned educator and instructional leader with a background in special education, instructional coaching and literacy development.

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